Calendar: April 3-10

CIRCUS Give and Take Street Performance
A circus complete with jugglers and vaudeville but sans elephant torture will take to The Porch at 30th Street Station, an area that not too long ago was a parking lot. The circus coincides with the glorious return and extended stay of gourmet food trucks, so come for the food and stay for the one child who is adorably scared of clowns. 11:30am. Free. The Porch, 30th Street Station. 215.243.0555. universitycity.org/porch-events

MUSIC Fol Chen
Way, way more upbeat than their previous LP, Fol Chen’s The False Alarms is heavy on the trip-hoppy fun times. “A Tourist Town” could be the soundtrack of the moment when Korben Dallas first meets Ruby Rhod in The Fifth Element. But beware: The seething, apocalyptic electronica dripping with black bile is still hiding under the pretty package. 8pm. $10-$12. Kung Fu Necktie, 1250 N. Front St. 215.291.4919. kungfunecktie.com

STAGE Young Voices Monologue Festival
More than 400 Philadelphia-area high school students bring you 16 winning monologues professionally directed and produced for the stage. Through April 6. $10. Adrienne Theater, 2030 Sansom St. 215.568.8079. phillyyoungplaywrights.org

SCREEN Cinedelphia Film FestivalFeaturing 40 programs and almost 100 screenings at theaters throughout the city and greater Philadelphia area, the Cinedelphia Film Festival was created three years ago to—you guessed from the name, right?—showcase films related to the City of Brotherly Love. For the next three-plus weeks, local cinephiles can expect to see not only documentaries, new films from around the world and cult classics, but also be part of a number of wonderfully weird parties going on around the city at which to watch said movies. Like, say, an ‘80s shindig at PhilaMOCA coinciding with a horror movie double-feature: Blades and Girls School Screamers, both grindhouse flicks about, respectively, lawnmower mutilation and girls hunted down in a remote house. Or there’s the 1991 crime thriller Point Break, directed by Kathryn Bigelow and starring Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves, which will feature accompanying surf rock music from the White Caps.

Oh, and remember 1984’s The Philadelphia Experiment, about time travel and a boat that can’t be picked up via radar? There’ll be a screening of that flick at the Independence Seaport Museum with guest speaker Paul Malmont, author of The Chinatown Death Cloud Peril,Jack London in Paradise, DC Comics’ Doc Savage, and The Astounding, The Amazing and The Unknown. It’s in honor of the alleged real-life Philadelphia Experiment’s 70th anniversary of when, in 1943, the U.S. Navy supposedly conducted a series of tests that attempted to make allied ships invisible to radar, the results of which were never made public—or even acknowledged. (The Navy says its records “have been repeatedly searched, but no documents have been located which confirm the event, or any interest by the Navy in attempting such an achievement.”) Not unlike many of Hollywood’s creations, The Philadelphia Experiment capitalized on both the conspiracy theories and the secrecy of the American government, resulting in a sci-fi classic. Be sure to check that out on April 21. / Randy LoBasso

Thurs., April 4 through April 27. Various times. Free-$22.50. Various venues. cinedelphia.com

ART Outside Sound
While leading a music-intensive workshop at a vocational art program for people with developmental/intellectual disabilities back in the summer of 2011, local composer and musician Chris Coyle couldn’t help but be inspired by the artwork he saw being made there. With the assistance of the center’s dedicated staff of professional artists, the disabled participants were unabashedly expressing themselves in ways they normally wouldn’t get to, creating everything from plaster sculptures and ceramic pieces to paintings and stop-motion videos.

It was then that he came up with the concept behind Outside Sound, a mix-media project that takes this artwork and sets it to original music, elevating the voices of the creative individuals behind them while creating a unique and meaningful art experience for audiences. Having spent the past two years working with the disabled participants of three area art programs, the project will all culminate with this public concert/gallery event. To ensure that the final presentation was a true reflection of their experiences and eccentricities, Coyle collaborated with each of the participating artists whenever possible, allowing their own thought processes to influence the musical compositions.

All of the featured artwork will be available for sale, and whether humorous, uplifting or dark, all serve as a reminder of how powerful a tool art can be. Proceeds from ticket sales will go directly to the three participating art programs, allowing this tool to continue to be utilized. / Nicole Finkbiner

MUSIC Luke Elliot
Another storyteller rocker out of Jersey, Elliot’s sometimes guttural, raspy voice lilts over stories of love and people gone wrong as blues-laden melodies stumble out of the speakers. 8pm. $10. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. worldcafelive.com

DRINK Fergie Fest
Fergus Carey is a Philly staple and owner of local watering holes Monk’s and Fergie’s. Apparently, it is time for this Dubliner to get his comeuppance. Fergie Fest is part roast, part drunken debauchery; you should consider the night a failure if Fergie doesn’t end up shouting expletives and dancing at random. 7pm. $25-$30. The Ruba Club, 414 Green St. 215.218.4022. theatreexile.org

READING Robert Sharenow
Sharenow is responsible for quality TV programs like Storage Wars, Hoarders and Dog the Bounty Hunter and currently serves as executive VP of programming at Lifetime, so you know this guy is really good at tapping in to the learning center of the brain. Tonight, he reads from his newest book, The Girl in the Torch, which should be at the same standard of excellence as everything else he is involved in. 5pm. Free. Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk. writing.upenn.edu/wh

MUSIC Local Natives
Uplifting beats, rapid-fire drums and harmony was the axiom behind Local Natives’ debut album. The spirit is still there in their sophomore effort, Hummingbird, but a shift to a more introspective and restless mood is apparent, especially on the somber “Colombia.” Local Natives might not be as energized by life as before, but these boys from Orange County sure can play. 8:30pm. $20-$22. Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St. utphilly.com

STAGE The America Play & Other American Cousins
This trippy and unsettling play revolves around a nameless black gravedigger with an uncanny resemblance to Abe Lincoln, who charges people a penny to assassinate him a la John Wilkes Booth. 7pm. $15-$25. Through April 21. Plays & Players Theatre, 1714 Delancey Place. 215.735.0630. playsandplayers.org

Friday, April 5

MUSIC Meek MillMeek Mill’s path to success hasn’t been a smooth and straight ride. A handful of years back, the rapper got signed by T.I., but before anything could come out, he got arrested and sent to the slammer for eight months. Then last November, on the night of his album listening party, the super-successful Dreams & Nightmares, he was detained by police but released. It still made headlines and put the brakes on a big tour, guaranteeing local dates from the Maybach Music Group emcee for a bit. If that wasn’t enough, last month, his name came up in the shooting incident outside of French Montana’s hotel on Columbus Avenue. Meek was on the bus, but it turns out it was more of a fan-on-fan incident. The brother either can’t catch a break or isn’t trying very hard.

But hey, dude’s been winning: Puma signed him on as a brand ambassador, his big non-mixtape album debut put him high on Billboard charts, and he sold nearly 300,000 copies in the first two weeks. When he got signed by Rick Ross alongside Wale, he was ushered into a boys’ club of which he’s certainly taken advantage, collaborating with artists that orbit in Ross’ universe, like 2 Chainz, Drake, John Legend and Mary J. Blige. No one can deny the success of anthems like “Amen,” “House Party” (with Young Chris) and “Young & Gettin’ It.” And tonight, the Tower Theater’s sure to be packed with proud fans who love what Meek brings to the Philly hip-hop game: commercial and critical success that puts him in the family of the Roots, Beanie Sigel and Freeway. / Bill Chenevert

ART Changing Scenes: Points of View in Contemporary Media Art
This exhibit considers a long history of independent film, video and installation art practices from the 1970s to present day in an attempt to explore point of view and construction of self in the field of media arts. Consulting Senior Curator for Film and Media Arts at the Smithsonian John G. Hanhardt will give a members-only talk before the opening reception. 6pm. Free. The Fabric Workshop & Museum, 1214 Arch St. fabricworkshopandmuseum.org

MUSIC They Might Be Giants
TMBG bring their quirky DIY sensibilities to the TLA with their super manic, possibly suffering from ADHD, new EP, Nanobots, in tow. Multiple songs on the new record are less than 20 seconds long, ending before you even knew they started, so lay off the PCP before listening. 7pm. $27. Theatre of the Living Arts, 334 South St. tlaphilly.com

MUSIC Los Amigos Invisibles
These Grammy-winning Latin lounge lizards will be the best backdrop to a fine dinner, encroaching on your conversation with a beau or friend, dazzling you with their easy skill. 9pm. $18-$28. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. 215.222.1400. worldcafelive.com

ART First Fridays: Everything Vibrates
A pop-up gallery show featuring Bucks County-based artist Nathan DiStefano, a graduate of Philly’s own University of the Arts. His work represents emotional situations in abstract environments, utilizing bold color strokes to symbolize that which we can’t see. 5pm. Free. First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St. 215.563.3980. philauu.org

GAMES Chemical Heritage Foundation First Friday
CHF is no stranger to First Friday celebrations, but this month, they’re switching gears and turning the museum into a full on game room. They’ll feature chemistry and history themed board games, scavenger hunts and a bunch of other interactive activities for you to compete with your friends and others. 5pm. Free. Chemical Heritage Foundation, 315 Chestnut St. 215.873.8258. chemheritage.org

BOOKS Maroon the Implacable Book Launch
Philly born Russell “Maroon” Shoats was a leader in the black liberation movement and has been a political prisoner of the United States since 1972 after an attack on a police station left an officer dead. This marks the first published collection of his writings, both old and new, which have been steadily piling up when he isn’t too busy trying to escape from prison. 7:30pm. Free. Temple University, 1114 W. Polett Walk. 215.204.7920. russellmaroonshoats.wordpress.com

STAGE Five Minute Follies Sing-Off
You may have missed the registration deadline, but you can still come out to support your favorite singer in his/her quest for the Holy Grail $100 prize in this open mic event. There are no age requirements or style boundaries, so the audience will have to sift through a wide variety of local talent to pick a winner. 8pm. $10. The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St. 215.573.3234. therotunda.org

MUSIC Purling Hiss: Water on Mars Album Release
Scuzzy Philly rockers that enjoy spending time in the sewers near Second Street after the Mummers stumble through, Purling Hiss is proud to release a new album that will continue their musical trend of guitars so loud, you can barely hear the weird moaning or jumbled words coming out of their mouths. 9:30pm. $12. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 N. Frankford Ave. 215.739.9684. johnnybrendas.com

DANCE River North Dance Chicago
This dance troupe’s show is in honor of musician Eva Cassidy, with pieces designed around her music, ranging from slow, languid movements with low, almost impressionistic lighting to energetic ballet infused with jazz. 7:30pm. $20-$55. Annenberg Center, Zellerbach Theatre, 3680 Walnut St. 215.898.3900. annenbergcenter.org

Saturday, April 6

FOOD Le Viet Turns ThreeWhile three years might not seem like a long time, it is when you’re a new Vietnamese restaurant competing against 30 other Vietnamese restaurants inside the same seedy Bella Vista strip mall to keep your doors open in a recession. Luckily, Le Viet has managed to set itself apart from all the surrounding family-owned joints with its upscale, contemporary décor and sophisticated menu of some 80-plus eats. Perhaps most notable is its expansive selection of appetizers—staples like spring rolls, soups and salads, but with a unique twist. Anyway, since they never would have been able to reach this milestone without the support of all you pho-lovin’ mofos out there, Chef Sinh Cao wants to say thanks. And he’s going to do it by feeding you a cheap-ass lunch.

From 11 a.m-3 p.m., Le Viet will be serving up bowls of their Special Pho* and Chicken Pho* for just $3.33, while a cold glass of their Thai iced tea will run you just two bucks. So, in all, you’re looking at about a $6 meal. That’s quite the bargain, folks. Hell, even at that shitty hole-in-the-wall Chinese place down the block, six bucks is only about enough to get you a pint of chicken fried rice and two Trojans. / N.F.

MUSIC Raga Samay Festival
This 24-hour festival is broken up into five concerts and immerses you in the world of Hindustani, or North Indian, classical music. Ten soloists from India and America will be featured throughout the shows, each of them improvising by basing the framework of their melody on the specific time and season. Through April 7. 6pm. $15-$112.50. Drexel University, Main Auditorium, 3141 Chestnut St. ragasamay.org

STAGE The Kelly Writers Home Project
Organized by Kate Herzlin, this collaboratively written play will be performed throughout the rooms of the Writers House. Kind of like a “choose your own ending” Goosebumps book, but in real life, and with the added bonus of food. 3pm amd 7pm. Free. Kelly Writers House, 3805 Locust Walk. writing.upenn.edu

ART Bonnie MacAllister: Spectacle
From her short film, Fighting the Creep, to an ambitious installation of her life-sized pillow project, Bonnie MacAllister’s cross-genre artistic assault is packed with an insane amount of content. Perhaps the work that best displays her versatility is her music video for “Girl Gangs,” which features a time lapse of her own fiber-art and will be projected on a vintage 1930’s pop-up screen for this exhibit. 6pm. Free. iMPeRFeCT Gallery, 5601 Greene St. 215.869.1001. imperfectgallery.com

STAGE Stratagems for Common People
It’s a pop up performance featuring two new plays and one new dance performance. Josh McIlvain’s For the Dogs is a solo piece dealing with one woman’s intricate emotions surrounding love, debt, and, well, dogs. John Rosenberg’s Quando Sei Qui, Se Fossi di Famiglia is a one-act play that introduces us to a pair of Olive Garden servers as they wait in line to celebrate a birthday at the Cheesecake Factory. 7pm. $5. Moving Arts of Mount Airy, 6819 Greene St. 215.842.1040. smokeyscout.com

WORKSHOP SCREAM! Vocal Master Class
Melissa Cross, of The Zen of Screaming fame, hosts this special class for rock singers in honor of the upcoming World Voice Day. She has worked with a wide array of artists throughout her career, including Maroon 5, Slayer, Slipknot, Disturbed and Andrew WK. If she can help Tom Araya seem even more pissed off, just imagine what she can do for you. 6pm. $10. The Academy of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce St. 215.735.1685. voicefoundation.org

MUSIC C2C
C2C have a unique take on music, to say the least. “Down the Road” starts as a standard blues number before they unleash a plethora of DJ effects, danceable bass lines and altered vocals. The turntable enthusiasts want their fans in on the action too: They’re currently hosting a contest that allows the winning remix of their single “Happy” to be featured on a special edition vinyl release. 9pm. $20. With DJ Dayo. Theatre of the Living Arts, 334 South St. 215.922.1011. tlaphilly.com

READING Craig Gidney and Lisa Nelson
Giovanni’s Room hosts a dual headlining book reading featuring two stories of young adult plight. Gidney’s Bereft tells the story of a gay African-American student on a scholarship to a wealthy Catholic school, who must deal with bullying, racism and a sexual awakening. Nelson’s Drifting introduces us to a 14-year-old girl who is on the run with her father, leaving behind the life she knows to move into a hotel. 5:30pm. Free. Giovanni’s Room, 345 S. 12th St. giovannisroom.com

Sunday, April 7

MUSIC Alice SmithSinger-songwriter Alice Smith once claimed in an interview, “The ladies love me … because I’m sexy.” We’ll give her that. But her music’s pretty fetching, too, and she’ll be hitting the Tin Angel to showcase some of her R&B/jazz-inspired tunes off her just-released album She, her first in six years.
Armed with a four-octave range, Smith’s uniquely orchestrated pop is widely appreciated by both high- and low-brow critics alike. The New York Times recently said there’s an “audacious naturalness” to her sophomore LP, whose songs “ponder affection and honesty, desire and independence, rightly confident that their modesty makes them all the more approachable.”

Smith, who is married to fellow singer-songwriter Citizen Cope, released her debut in 2007, the acclaimed For Lovers, Dreamers & Me, which featured the lush, soulful Grammy-nominated “Dream.” She was called the next big thing at the time—perhaps the next Alicia Keys or Norah Jones, instead of just like them—but “then,” as the Associated Press puts it, “silence.”

Part of that silence had to do with she and her husband welcoming their first child, a daughter, and the inevitable backroom record-label legal drama. Music enthusiasts say her new album shows the promise of For Lovers is still there—though fans could probably stand for less of a hiatus next time. / R.L.

FOOD UCAL’s 4th Annual Chili Bowl
It’s a no-brainer: You cough up 20 bucks, and in exchange, you get a bowl hand made by one of the many talented University City’s Arts League potters to take home. But first, fill it with as much homemade chili your belly can handle. Bring the family—children chow down for free—and cast your bets for the best chili chef in the neighborhood. 1pm. $20. University City Arts League, 4226 Spruce St. ucartsleague.org

SPORTS The Zombie Run
A serum meant to toughen up soldiers has had the unpleasant side effect of turning them into zombies upon death, and they happen to be lurching toward our fair city. Run as fast as your still-living and undead-obsessed legs allow or inject yourself with the serum to sate your brain-tasting curiosity in this 5K around FDR Park. Then catch your breath at the Quarentine Party that follows. $30-$50, 1500 Pattison Ave. thezombierun.com

Monday, April 8

STAGE Timon of Athens
Timon is the only Shakespearean protagonist who does not have any romantic attachments or family relations, but what he does have is money, and lots of it. The play may not have been performed in Shakespeare’s lifetime because the text is uneven and fragmented. Issues aside, Timon is a perfect play for the actors/managers of the Philadelphia Artists’ Collective, who exist to produce rarely produced texts. 8pm. $20. Broad Street Ministry, 315 S. Broad St. philartistscollective.org

MUSIC Mika
British power pop sensation Mika will be crooning with overt glam attitude in support of his new album, The Origin of Love. If you haven’t heard the Freddie Mercury-esque “Grace Kelly” or anthemic “We Are Young” singles, you‘ve surely been living under a rock. 8:30pm. $29.50. Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St. utphilly.com

STAGE Shubin April Fest
Actress, opera singer and dancer Denise Shubin’s 43-seat theater will be a hot bed of raw, young, off-the cuff, unrestrained talent throughout the month of April. Tonight, the Shubin Festival launches with an evening of what most actors fear the most, monologues: actors alone on stage, with no one to talk to but themselves. Through April 28. $15. Shubin Theater, 407 Bainbridge St. 215.592.0119. shubintheatre.com

MUSIC Johnny PopcornHezekiah Davis is a self-proclaimed “sarcastic asshole,” and he got it from his funk-punk parents, who raised him in West Chester and Delaware. The comrade-in-arms of other Philly nu-soul giants like Bilal, Kindred the Family Soul and Musiq Soulchild, as Hezekiah, he’s more of an emcee, but on this new project, one he’s been working on for a couple years, he sings. And you know what? Dude’s got pipes. They’re not Bilal-level pipes, no, but the transition from rapper to funk and soul-spiked hip-hop band leader has not been unfriendly to the West Philadelphian.

Davis’ collaboration with Tone Whitfield, a bass specialist and producer with a healthy pedigree of his own, and soulstress Marjani Clark for last year’s The Crow yielded a new and fresh voice in Philadelphia music. The first single, “Hello to the Bad Guy,” is a snare-propelled and grimy guitar-driven track that hoists Hez’s plaintive, questioning tone above the fray. Meanwhile, the puppet-heavy video behind “Next Episode,” a pretty piano-backed insult track about an ex who he’s “through” with, is sultry, groovy and down-to-earth. “At least we tried, ya know?” he asks. His emulation of Gil Scott-Heron and Grace Jones is not lost in these songs. He brings that classic Philly-flavored soul to this new project. And he and his supporting crew play the middle opening set for Smokey Robotic tonight, channeling the likes of Erykah Badu and Mos Def. / B.C.

FOOD How Jewish Food Became Jewish
Religious scholar Ariella Werden traces the social history of the Jewish food we adore. In the mid-19th century, the Lower East side of Manhattan was flooded with Eastern European immigrants, and the roots for the largest Jewish American community were laid down. Explore a history of a people by sampling their food. Noon. $18-$20. Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St. gershmany.org

MUSIC The Presidents of the United States of America
Pot USA will be performing their classic self-titled debut album in its entirety. Ninety’s pop rock nostalgia enthusiasts are advised to buy tickets early so as to not miss out on the epic sing-along. 8:30pm. $22-$75. With Eternal Summers, You Scream I Scream. Union Transfer, 1026 Spring Garden St. utphilly.com

Out of Town Events

FILM Media Film Festival
Jump on the R3 train at Market East immediately after work today because the two-day festival of independent short local and international films opens tonight in Media, “everybody’s home town.” The first film out of 30 screened, Imagine—written, directed and produced by high school students at the Media Youth Film Initiative—emphasizes the importance of the bonds of friendship. After the screening, stick around for the Late Night Horror Show, a compilation of the best independent horror flicks represented at the fest. 7pm. $10. Media Municipal Center, 301 N. Jackson St., Media. mediaartscouncil.org

STAGE Salome
Oscar Wilde originally wrote this one-act tragedy in French, perhaps because it was banned in England since it was illegal to perform plays that depict Biblical characters on stage. Translated into English by the Lord Alfred Douglas in 1893, this seductive play centers around the obsessive virginal Salome, the step daughter of Herod Antipater, who takes pleasure in destroying men like John the Baptist. Through April 21. $21. Villanova Theatre, Vasey Hall, 800 E. Lancaster Ave, Villanova. villanova.edu

EVENT Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival
Beer, music and food—how much more description do you need? In its eighth year, the festival features more than 90 different breweries from across the country. Bonus: $1 from every ticket sold will be donated to Hurricane Sandy relief and rebuilding efforts. Through April 6. $51-$56. Atlantic City Convention Center, 1 Miss America Way, Atlantic City, N.J. acbeerfest.com

PARTY Foam
Do it. Jump on PATCO tonight, turn your brain off and surrender to the overpowering pulse of the techno beat in a sensual sea of foam. Don’t even think of coming back to Philadelphia till you’re drenched head-to toe. 9pm. $50. Sun National Bank Center, 81 Hamilton Avenue, Trenton, N.J. 609. 656.3200. sunnationalbankcenter.com

MUSIC Matt & Kim
This upbeat pop duo will perform music from their newest album, Lightning. Keyboardist Matt Johnson and drummer Kim Schifino are sure to excite and energize with their popular hits like “Let’s Go” and “Daylight.” 8pm. $25. Showboat/House of Blues, 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J. 609.343.4000. houseofblues.com

COMMENTS

Comments 1 - 1 of 1

1. Mark Knight said... on Apr 3, 2013 at 08:44AM

“Timon of Athens runs April 4th thru 20th and has a Half Price ($10) Ticket offer for this Friday night's performance (that's Friday, April 5). You can get the discount online or at the door with the code EARLYBIRD. Theatre industry tickets are also available for $15 (good any night of the run) with the online code PACINDUSTRY. Tickets are available online at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/300273 Feel free to forward to friends and colleagues.”